Alternative Affordable Transportation Options
Transportation, especially with a car, can easily be one of your highest monthly expenses. In today’s society, we’re constantly having to move from one place to the other - often not right down the street. Work, grocery store, childcare drop-offs - there’s always someplace to go. With all of this, reliable transportation is a must. The downside? The average cost per year of owning a sedan vehicle is about $10,000; That’s a lot!
For many, spending tens of thousands of dollars each year on owning and operating a vehicle simply isn’t feasible; But what are some other affordable transportation options? Today, we’ll take a look at some other choices that can prove to be more cost-efficient for you.
Carpooling
Driving to and from work can rack up expenses quickly depending on how far you have to commute and what traffic conditions are like. With the cost of the gas continuously increasing, driving your own car is often not your cheapest option. Vehicle gas purchases can average $300-$400 per month!
As an alternative, consider carpooling with co-workers who live nearby. Each person taking turns with carpool driving can be effective cost savings for everyone!
City Bus
If you live in a city with bus access, definitely consider using it. The average bus pass cost per month is about $65, or $780 per year, which is quite a savings. Not only will you be saving money, but there are other benefits as well:
- By riding the bus, you’ll be doing your part to reduce air pollution with one less car off the road.
- Feel like you never have time to read a book or take a nap? The bus can give you those opportunities.
- You might meet someone new!
- A lot of traffic congestion you typically deal with in vehicles can be avoided.
Rideshare
More and more commuters and travelers are skipping car ownership these days and opting to use ride share services through companies like Lyft and Uber. This is becoming a more popular option because car ownership is not necessary and rides can be as low as just a few dollars (depending on distance and time). Plus, you don’t have the stress of navigating through traffic.
Bicycling
Riding your bike is a great transportation option! Not only is bike ownership and maintenance much cheaper than a car, but it’s also healthy for you, too! Save money, get to where you need to go, and get your daily work out in all at once - sounds like a win-win! At the low range, you should be able to purchase an adult bicycle for under $300. Bike tires are relatively inexpensive and require changing every 2,000 - 3,000 miles.
Subway
Not every city has a subway system, but if yours does it’s something you should take advantage of. Subway fares range pretty drastically from city to city, with some charging according to distance traveled instead of a set monthly/per ride cost. You’ll probably get away with spending under $75 a month in any city you’re in, however; This cost is definitely cheaper than operating a car!
None of the options above are typically going to work in every transportation situation you have; But between them all, you have various options that you can rotate in accordance with what your travel plans are. Depending on where you live, you may not have access to all options discussed. It may make sense to still own an inexpensive used car for occasional use while opting for more cost-effective options the majority of the time. Rotating between different transportation options can be an effective way to bring your monthly costs down.